**Climbing the Hill (Side Notes from Is It Them or The Mirror)**
**Climbing the Hill (Side Notes from Is It Them or The Mirror)**
Endurance is the ability to withstand wear and tear. Life is an uphill climb, filled with obstacles. It’s often said that misery loves company. When you decide to pursue your vision, you’ll confront two enemies: one from within and one from without.
The internal enemy consists of people you know and trust. Jealousy is a powerful emotion, commonly referred to today as “hating.” These individuals may reveal themselves unexpectedly and can cause harm if you’re not prepared. Keep pushing forward; don’t let them extinguish your drive. You’ll need that motivation to confront the external enemy waiting at the top of the hill. Remember, your success threatens this enemy, and he does not want to see our community thrive. While he may appear to applaud our efforts, he sends his minions out each day to thwart our progress. It’s endurance that will carry us to the top and help us overcome both of these adversaries.
Endurance is patience concentrated. — Thomas Carlyle.
“Your worst enemy could be your best friend, and your best friend your worst enemy.” — Bob Marley.
“The battle of life is, in most cases, fought uphill; to win it without a struggle is like winning it without honor. If there were no difficulties, there would be no success; if there were nothing to struggle for, there would be nothing to achieve.” — Samuel Smiles.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer; try to eliminate any threats if you can. This is a lesson from the life of Shaka Zulu.
There is an art to climbing a hill. Rule one: Don’t think you can conquer the mountain all at once. The key to running uphill is to maintain your effort, which means slowing your pace to avoid burning out and becoming breathless at the summit. A common mistake among runners is trying to rush. You need to understand the course ahead of you. You may feel the urge to accomplish everything immediately, but that’s not realistic unless you have considerable resources. Slow down and assess what you’re facing. Remember, the enemy’s minions are just waiting for you to falter. Pace yourself; there’s no rush. Four hundred years can become just another day if you take your time to get it right. Focus on your assignment, but avoid exhausting yourself in a frantic thirty-day attempt to change the world.
Once you feel defeated, your hill will seem like a mountain. Often, going slower is more effective; it allows you time to think. The hill is steep, so I’m counting on your inner strength.
“It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.” — Zig Ziglar.